Post by Ben Cohen MBE

Back in 2020, during Covid, I started a project called 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁… but I never shared it. No script. No filters. Just honest conversations. So, here goes… Like many athletes, when my career came to an end, I found myself asking a simple question… Am I the only one who feels like this after sport? Who am I now? What’s next? Why does the transition into “civvy street” feel so difficult? Why can it feel so lonely? To find out, I sat down with Rebecca Adlington, Darren Campbell, Steve Thompson and Harry Ellis to have honest conversations about what happens when elite sport comes to an end. We spoke about identity, purpose, mental health, family, careers and the challenge of starting again. Conversations that, back then, simply weren’t happening enough. Those conversations inspired the creation of Champions 03 alongside Matt Dawson, Phil Vickery, Mike Tindall and Lorraine O’Brien, later joined by Ben Kay and Andy Gomarsall. Today we’re proud to support the Switch the Play Foundation and their Evolve & Thrive programme, helping players transition out of professional sport. Champions 03 has also brought many of us back together. It reminds us that the brotherhood didn’t end when rugby did. Today, we’re there for one another, especially two of our own, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson, as they face challenges none of us could ever have imagined. That’s what being a teammate is all about. After 6 years, here’s a glimpse into 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Progress has been made, but there’s still much more to do. A huge thank you to everyone who took part. I’d also like to thank Tim Crescenti and everyone at Small World IFT for bringing this project to life, and Luke Lloyd-Davies for all of his help. I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts. What’s your Life After? Because “Life After” isn’t just about sport. Every one of us will face a new chapter. None of us should have to face it alone. Ben ❤️

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